EDUC6403 DETS(A) Dissertation (B)
Module Overview
The dissertation builds on work undertaken across other modules and provides you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of independent research in a chosen topic. Normally, your dissertation will be individually supervised.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
• Make your own contribution to educational understanding by presenting a coherent, detailed and sustained argument at length on an educational topic; • Develop advanced practical and analytical skills in a range of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods as an academic researcher and writer on educational and social matters; • Develop your own ideas and organise a project independently but with supportive guidance. • Refine and practice a range of skills which would be useful to you in further study or a professional/work based context.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the research process and understand methods of data collection and analysis and apply them in a self-reliant manner
- Analyse and synthesise research findings
- Produce and present a carefully argued dissertation
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the approaches by which research and critical awareness of debates in education can be utilised to construct a scholarly argument.
- Critically evaluate an appropriate range of relevant primary source materials and arguments reflected in other sources and propose a relevant area of investigation
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of your chosen dissertation project, its potential impact on practice and the range of relevant scholarly literature and source materials
- Choose and evaluate a feasible independent research design, project plan and structure
- Devise appropriate research questions
- Devise appropriate research methods to undertake a research project
- Acquire appropriate Ethical and Research Governance approvals
- Demonstrate an understanding of data collection and analysis methods
Syllabus
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Special Features
There are no special features for this module.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
In studying this module you will cover aspects of the following: • Strategies for focusing and managing the research process. • Quantitative and qualitative methodologies and approaches to research. • Key data collection methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation). • Methods for analysing and interpreting data. • Dissertation writing and presentation skills
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 150 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Rubin, I., & Rubin, H. (2005). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data.
Wengraf, T. (2002). Qualitative Research Interviewing.
Neuendorf, K. (2002). The Content Analysis Guidebook.
Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology.
Oppenheim, A. (2000). Questionnaire Design.
Yin, R. (2004). The Case Study Anthology.
Lichtman, M. (2010). Qualitative Research in Education- A User’s Guide.
Strauss, A. and J. Corbin (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research.
Fink, A. (2009). How to conduct Surveys: A Step by Step Guide.
Hopkins, D. (2002). A Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Research.
Punch, K. (2009). Introduction to Research methods in Education.
Creswell, J. (2002). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches.
Wragg, E. (1999). An Introduction to Classroom Observation.
Muijs, D. (2004/8). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS.
Willig, C. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology.
Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1998). Competing paradigms in Qualitative research . In Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (eds). The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues.
Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science.
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods.
McNiff, J., & Whitehead, J. (2002). Action Research: Principles and Practice.
Fink, A. (1998). Conducting Research Literature Reviews.
Kvale, S. (2008). Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing.
Assessment
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Diligence and Initiative (17000 words) | 100% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework assignment(s) | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External